Regent Hotel Weekend High Tea Buffet

May 7th, 2011 365days2play

I’ve always loved the 3 tiered service afternoon tea at the Regent Hotel Singapore on weekdays. Been there a number of times. It’s always nice to sit back and relax over a cuppa and have some nibbles. The reason why I liked Regent’s afternoon tea in particular is because of its delicious scones and clotted cream. Those of you following my blog will know that I go weak when I hear clotted cream being mentioned. Another reason why the Regent’s weekday afternoon tea is so good is because 1 tier is actually enough for 2 people, if you’re not too ravenous. Plus I always order the free flow of iced chocolate on the side.

Lately, I was reminded that Regent Hotel also serves afternoon tea during the weekends, buffet style, with a strong focus on British afternoon tea items like the various pies and sausage rolls. I immediately made reservations, only to be told that the next available spot would be 2 weeks later. Well, the 2 weeks later was last week. After having sampled what was on offer, I have to say that the experience is quite different from having the 3-tier afternoon tea on weekdays.

The buffet obviously has more food items to choose from. However, there were quite a number of misses, and a few hits. Most of the pies I felt were too dry. There was no visual appeal either as the yellow display lighting cast a horrible overcooked glow on the pies. The bread used in the sandwiches was hard, with the exception of the egg sandwiches. The dessert station featured no luscious looking chocolate cake. In my opinion, that’s a prerequisite for any self-respecting buffet! And horror of horrors, the scone was only so so. Even though I could have had as much clotted cream as I wanted, I didn’t do so because the scone wasn’t that great!

Interestingly, the best dish was the baked salmon. The salmon was so so so good. It was flaky, moist and full of flavour. The doneness was just right. Any less time in the oven and it would probably have been raw. And any longer in the oven and it would have been less flaky and moist. Delicious. I went back for 3 helpings!

Given a choice, I would prefer to go for the weekday 3-tiered afternoon tea. At least, every item on the 3-tiered stand tasted good.

Anyway….less talk and more pictures. Enjoy!

Lemon curd, very traditional to the British. Probably what Kaya is to Singaporeans.

The egg sandwich didn’t come with the caviar, but there is a huge bottle of it nearby so just help yourselves!

Roast lamb on the left and baked salmon on the right. Of all the things at the buffet, you MUST try the baked salmon! It’s DAMN GOOD!

Crab curry with mantou. I just love fried mantous! Dip it in the curry and it’s so heavenly! Fried carbs, they appeal to me way too much!

Don’t take the iced chocolate if you don’t want to fill yourself up too fast

As part of the high tea, you get a choice of 2 drinks, be it iced chocolate, teas and coffees.